The lights cover a 50 metre stretch at Tafarn Newydd, Llandovery.

The A40 at Tafarn Newydd by Llandovery has been reduced to a single lane since at least the summer of 1999.

Locals believe they may be the longest standing 'temporary' lights in the UK, some claiming they are a decade old.

On a day local councils called for �20m extra road funding, the Welsh Assembly Government said a deal had been struck so repairs would be starting shortly.

It's been quite a complex situation Welsh Assembly Government

As it is a trunk road the A40 comes under the assembly government's jurisdiction rather than Carmarthenshire Council.

Assembly figures show the lights have been there since July 1999 but Llandovery mayor Ivor Jackson believes they were put up in the early 1990s.

"Without a doubt they've been there for 13 years - possibly much longer," he said.

"They have become a bit of a joke but they are not too bad because they only cover a short little stretch of about 50m and they change quite quickly.

"It builds up a little during the summer when you get a lot more traffic and it would be nice to see the back of them.

'Tidy up the design'

"They have informed me that they should be staring work hopefully in September."

A spokesman for the Welsh Assembly Government said the problem was part of the road had become unstable after a landslide and there had been a long running land ownership issue before work could start.

"It's been quite a complex situation," he said.

He said a contract had now been awarded for the work to be done.